- Police Open Fire on Protesters
- Violence During Political Deal Signing
- Mondlane Vows to Keep Protesting
At least twelve people were injured after Mozambican police violently broke up a protest led by opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane, who was the runner-up in last year’s disputed presidential election, according to Mondlane’s team and a civil society group.
Eyewitnesses and Mondlane’s aides said police fired live bullets at Mondlane’s convoy and the protesters who had joined him in Maputo, the capital, on Wednesday.
The police and authorities have not yet commented on the incident.
The protests took place as President Daniel Chapo, who took office in January, was about to sign a deal with other political parties to end months of protests over the disputed election. Mondlane, who had been leading the protests, was excluded from the talks leading up to the deal.
Mondlane’s office released a statement saying the opposition leader was leading a procession when his convoy was attacked. They said a police unit rammed into Mondlane’s convoy and began firing live bullets and using tear gas.
In response, Interior Minister Paulo Chachine told reporters that the police had been tasked with preventing any disruptions during the signing ceremony. He denied any attempt to kill Mondlane.
Local civil society group Plataforma Decide reported that sixteen people were injured, but the BBC has not confirmed the exact number of casualties. Mondlane’s team claimed that two children from a nearby school died from the shooting, and that 16 people were injured, including their cameraman, with others affected by tear gas.
A video posted on social media shows gunshots being fired as the procession nears an armored vehicle. People run for safety, while gunfire continues. More images of bloodied victims have also been shared online.
A protester who witnessed the shooting described it as an “ambush” situation, saying, “It was just a march.” He reported seeing people bleeding from their wounds and said a child died in the hospital from gunshot wounds.
Portugal, Mozambique’s former colonial power, condemned the attack on Mondlane’s convoy, calling for an end to violence and respect for basic rights. The Portuguese Foreign Ministry also expressed condolences to the families of the victims.
Since President Chapo took office, he has promised broad political dialogue to resolve the country’s post-election crisis. However, some critics have pointed out that Mondlane was excluded from the talks.
Mondlane condemned the political deal, calling it “an agreement of people without the people” and vowed to continue protesting. He said, “If they don’t do what the people want, they won’t govern Mozambique.”
Since October, nearly 400 people have died in violence linked to the protests, according to civil society organizations.
